Variation in Dental Crown Morphology in Malaysian Populations

Abstract

Dental crown variation was studied in the four main population groups living in Malaysia using dental casts (upper and lower) obtained from 790 individuals. The aims of the study were to characterize variation in 13 dental crown traits, within groups as well as between groups, and to assess affinities between the groups based on frequencies of occurrence of dental features. Using chi-square analysis and Fisher’s exact test, the majority of dental traits were found to be bilaterally symmetrical and to demonstrate low sexual dimorphism. Comparisons of trait frequencies between groups revealed similarities between Malays, Jahai (Negritos) and Chinese who conformed to Mongoloid Sinodont-Sundadont dental patterns, whereas the Indians conformed to an Indo-European pattern. Phenetic distance analysis, using the mean measure of divergence, showed that Indians were markedly separated from the other three groups, while Malays were closer to Jahai than to Chinese. These findings based on dental traits are consistent with historical explanations of affinities between modern Malaysian populations.